Finally! I've been pretty close with my other bikes ($2k Ninja 650, $1800 SV650S) but now I've come in well under the maximum limit. I present to you my $500, 9k mile, 2004 EX250. Her name's Destiny because, well, that's a good name for a track whore, or any whore, right?

I picked it up two days ago along with the included spare tire. Yesterday, we went for a 110 mile test ride and she did very well. Just needs a little chain adjustment and we should be good to go. The only problems I could find were some light marks from falls, a sun-faded tank, and that rip in the seat.

Destiny will soon be fitted with stiffer springs up front, a GSX-R shock, full Muzzys exhaust, pods to replace the airbox, as well as SS brake lines and beefier pads, whick could use replacement anyways. I might get some woodcraft rearsets and clip-ons, but I'd like to stay under a grand total investment and those two bits aren't as important as the other mods for track duty.

Finally! I've been pretty close with my other bikes ($2k Ninja 650, $1800 SV650S) but now I've come in well under the maximum limit. I present to you my $500, 9k mile, 2004 EX250. Her name's Destiny because, well, that's a good name for a track whore, or any whore, right?

I picked it up two days ago along with the included spare tire. Yesterday, we went for a 110 mile test ride and she did very well. Just needs a little chain adjustment and we should be good to go. The only problems I could find were some light marks from falls, a sun-faded tank, and that rip in the seat.

Destiny will soon be fitted with stiffer springs up front, a GSX-R shock, full Muzzys exhaust, pods to replace the airbox, as well as SS brake lines and beefier pads, whick could use replacement anyways. I might get some woodcraft rearsets and clip-ons, but I'd like to stay under a grand total investment and those two bits aren't as important as the other mods for track duty.

Why was it 500 bucks? And how come i cant find any deals like that?! Good job man!

I would go for rearsets before the shock or aftermarket exhaust. Also, get GV cartridge emulators up front if it's in your budget. The stock footpegs end up on the ground at very modest lean angles when you're on track. Nice find for $500, definitely. My track bitch (now racebike) cost me almost 50% more.

The $500 wasn't a buddy-buddy deal or anything, although I do know the seller, Dustin, and even bought one of his other bikes in November. The reason, he said, that the cost was so low was that it was his dad's. Dustin's sister owed their dad $500. Instead of paying him the money, she just gave the dad the bike. The dad just wanted his $500, so he had Dustin put it up for sale for exactly that amount. Follow?

Hmm, I'll have to check out those cartridge emulators later. First I want to see how the Sonic Springs do, though, lest I add a ton of mods all at once, not being able to fully appreciate the differences each will make. The rearsets are important, I agree, but this current stock suspension is just so freakin' bad it's unforgivable. It's almost as if it was designed to simulate a really squishy trampoline over bumps and hard corners. Plus, a shock is, what, $25 bucks on fleaBay? I'd be lucky to find some Woodcrafts for under $175, methinks.

On Edit: Maybe I should mention that I'm kind of new at this, so I don't know how far over I'm actually leaning. The 26th of this month will be by 3rd time on track, and the last time I just couldn't get a knee down, though I definitely tried. If I see that I begin scraping the 250's pegs a bit too much on the 26th, I'll just put it up, take out the 650 for the rest of the day (it already has all the track goodies), and put rearsets on the "to-be-added-ASAP list."

Sounds good. My advice though: save your money on the exhaust. It will do nothing for you in performance terms. The front suspension, stock, is beyond unforgivable, but the rear is actually not bad. Going with Sonic Springs is a good starting point, and will certainly improve the front end. As I got faster, the stock damping rods left me with a front end that was both harsh and wallowy at the same time, so it was definitely time to step up. Rearsets make a huge difference, in terms of both ground clearance and the grip/feel that my boots have on the bike. Many of our local 250 racers run the stock rear shock in competition, and for your $25 or whatever just make sure you're not messing up your spring rates or geometry.